Mark I lobster net

ABSTRACT

Sport fishing for lobsters by divers is done with a hand held net. Lobsters in a net try to escape through the large net opening by flipping their tails. It is accordingly an object of the invention to trap a lobster and prevent it from escaping. The Mark I lobster net closes by flipping a lever with the thumb, preventing the lobster from escape. The overall density of the net is greater than that of sea water. If the net is dropped, it will fall to the bottom and not drift off. The handle is painted a florescent yellow so that it can be seen on the ocean floor.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The Caridoid Escape Reaction, also known as lobstering or tailflipping, refers to an innate escape mechanism in marine crustaceans such as lobster and shrimp. The reaction allows crustaceans to escape predators through rapid abdominal flexions that produce powerful swimming strokes. This thrusts the crustacean through the water and away from danger.

The invention incorporates a means to trap a crustacean and prevent it from escaping. The one major problem associated with the majority of currently available nets is the lack of a means to close the net, thus allowing the crustacean to escape by tailflipping.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is accordingly an object of the invention to trap a crustacean and prevent it from escaping. With regular nets, lobsters can flip their tails and escape. The Mark I lobster net has two versions, Mark I RH (right handed) and Mark I LH (left handed). There are only 2 differences between the two, everything else is exactly the same. The one difference is the hand that it is held in, therefore allowing the net to close with either the right thumb or the left thumb. The second difference is the motion of the closing of the net. The right hand net can only close from right to left and the left hand net can only close from left to right. These and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will become more apparent when the detailed description is studied in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention together with the other objects, features, aspects, and advantages thereof will be more clearly understood from the following in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the right handed net structure in accordance with present invention, the net being shown in the open condition.

FIG. 2 is a further view of the right handed net in the closed condition.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the left handed net structure in accordance with present invention, the net being shown in the open position.

FIG. 4 is a further view of the left handed net in the closed condition.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the right handed net with all the dimensions.

FIG. 6 is a top close-up view of frame 2 and frame 3 being connected together by cable 8 and cable crimp 7.

FIG. 7 is a side close-up view of frame 2 and frame 3 being connected together by cable 8 and cable crimp 7.

FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view of handle 1 and frame 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

In the drawings, like parts are given the same reference numeral.

FIG. 1 is a top view of the right handed invention in the open position. A three quarter inch PVC pipe 1, eleven inches in length is used as the handle. Handle 1 is painted florescent yellow so that it can be spotted on the ocean floor if dropped. The invention has an overall density greater than ocean water so that it will not float away in a current if released. Aluminum frame 2 is securely fastened inside handle 1 with eye bolts 5. The eye bolts 5 are screwed into handle 1 and into frame 2. Aluminum frame 3 is inserted into eye bolts 5 and has 180 degrees of movement from right to left. The movement of frame 3 is accomplished with lever 4 using the right thumb. Lever 4 is a two and a half inch bolt screwed into frame 3. Sheet metal screws 6 keep frame 3 frame coming out of eyebolts 5. Frames 2 and 3 are connected at the top by cable 8 and crimped together with crimp 7. Hose clamps 9 keep net 10 from bunching up.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the right handed invention in the closed position.

FIG. 3 is a top view of the left handed invention in the open position. Everything is exactly the same as the right handed invention except for three things. Handle 1 is held in the left hand, lever 4 is activated with the left thumb, and aluminum frame 3 has 180 degrees of movement from left to right.

FIG. 4 is a top view of the left handed invention in the closed position.

FIG. 5 is a top view of the right handed invention with all the dimensions.

FIG. 6 is a top close-up view of frame 2 and frame 3 being connected together by cable 8 and cable crimp 7. The cable is doubled for extra strength and allows frame 3 to have one hundred and eighty degrees of motion. Crimp 7 fastens cable 8 together.

FIG. 7 is a side close-up view of frame 2 and frame 3 being connected together by cable 8 and cable crimp 7. This illustrates that only the top halves of frame 2 and frame 3 have holes drilled into them. Cable 8 is then fed through the holes and the open ends of frame 2 and frame 3.

FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view of handle 1 and frame 2. This illustrates eyebolts 5 securely holding frame 2 to handle 1. Holes are drilled into one side of handle 1 to allow eyebolts 5 to be screwed into. Holes are also drilled all the way through frame 2 to allow eyebolts 5 to be screwed all the way through. The ends of eyebolts 5 rest on the inside of the other side of handle 1 securely holding frame 2 into place.

DRAWING ITEMS INDEX

-   1 Handle—¾ inch PVC Pipe -   2 Frame—½ inch aluminum tubing -   3 Frame—½ inch aluminum tubing -   4 Thumb Lever—2½ inch bolt -   5 Eye Bolt—1¾ inch ⅝ inch Diameter -   6 Sheet metal screw—¾ inch -   7 Cable Crimp— 1/16 inch -   8 Picture Hanging Cable—25 Lbs. -   9 Hose Clamp—½ inch -   10 Net 

I claim:
 1. A net structure comprising a handle, a frame secured to said handle, a moveable frame that has 180 degrees of movement, a lever that is thumb operated to move the said frame, a net attached to both frames, and the moveable frame will have the capability of having the net in an open position and move to a closed position.
 2. The net structure of claim 1, wherein said device having an overall density greater than that of sea water, wherein the device will fall to the ocean floor when released.
 3. The net structure of claim 2, will be easily spotted on the ocean floor due to the handle being painted a florescent yellow in color.
 4. The net structure of claim 1, wherein the frames are connected together by a steel cable, allowing the moveable frame free motion, and the cable is held together with a crimp.
 5. The net structure of claim 1, wherein the moveable frame is inserted into 2 eyebolts that are attached to the handle, allowing the said frame 180 degrees of movement.
 6. The net structure of claim 5, wherein the moveable frame cannot slide out of the eyebolts, wherein screws are inserted on either sides of the eyebolts into the moveable frame, allowing free movement, and keeping the said frame from coming free of the eyebolts.
 7. The net structure of claim 6, wherein the eyebolts also securely fastens the non-moveable frame to the handle.
 8. The net structure of claim 1, wherein hose clamps are used to securely fasten the bottom of the net to both frames, to prevent the net from bunching up.
 9. The net structure of claim 1, wherein the operation of the moveable frame by the thumb lever will be done with the right hand.
 10. A net structure comprising a handle, a frame secured to said handle, a moveable frame that has 180 degrees of movement, a lever that is thumb operated to move the said frame, a net attached to both frames, and the moveable frame can be in the open position and be moved to a closed position.
 11. The net structure of claim 10, wherein the operation of the moveable frame by the thumb lever will be done with the left hand. 